Claude Rains

John T. Soister is a teacher of modern and classical languages, and lives in Denver, Colorado. JoAnna Wioskowski is a teacher in Baltimore, Maryland, and has published articles and art in Big Reel and other magazines.

“the only book about the fascinating, scene-stealing actor...informative...Soister presents his views rationally and perceptively...an intelligent book”—Classic Images; “lavishly illustrated with many ultra-rare stills...a loving, well-written, and well-deserved tribute...one of the best film books of the year...essential reading”—Video Watchdog; “comprehensive...eighty rare photographs...the definitive guide to Claude Rains’ complete body of work as one of the most talented and called upon actors of his day”—Midwest Book Review; “valuable...extremely readable”—Public Library Quarterly; “a superior portrait...of the debonair actor’s stage and film career”—Film Review; “fascinating...wonderfully researched, incredible photos of the films and Rain’s life. Rare treat”—Little Shoppe of Horrors; “very thorough...a fine biography”—Monsters from the Vault; “recommend[ed]”—The Other Side of Show Business; “the first and only book about one of the most successful and admired character actors in movie history. [The author] tracked down everything about Rains he could find. ...an enjoyable and informative study of a great performer”—Rapport; “illustrations include rare behind the scenes shots and movie posters...a very complete seeming look at his stage, radio, record and TV work”—Psychotronic; “concentrat[es] on Rains’ more than fifty films...also comprehensively examines his work in other media: the stage, radio, television and recordings”—New Books in the Communications Library; “successfully endeavors to set the record straight by examining the 57 films Rains made between 1933 and 1965. In addition to films, there’s a complete listing of his work in other media”—Kettering-Oakwood Times; “an intelligent book”—The Slide Area; “comprehensive...well researched and illustrated biography...written in an informed but pleasantly readable style...a welcome source of reference...a fine source of information”—Talking Pictures Magazine; “a guide to the actor’s work in film, stage, radio, television and recordings”—The Intelligencer Record.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgments      Foreword by Jessica Rains      Introduction      Biography      Build Thy House (1920)      The Invisible Man (1933)      Crime Without Passion (1934)      The Man Who Reclaimed His Head (1934)      Mystery of Edwin Drood (1935)      The Clairvoyant (1935)      The Last Outpost (1935)      Hearts Divided (1936)      Anthony Adverse (1936)      Stolen Holiday (1937)      The Prince and the Pauper (1937)      They Won’t Forget (1937)      Gold Is Where You Find It (1938)      The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)      White Banners (1938)      Four Daughters (1938)      They Made Me a Criminal (1939)      Sons of Liberty (1939)      Juarez (1939)      Daughters Courageous (1939)      Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)      Four Wives (1939)      Saturday’s Children (1940)      The Sea Hawk (1940)      Lady with Red Hair (1940)      Four Mothers (1941)      Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941)      The Wolf Man (1941)      King’s Row (1942)      Moontide (1942)      Now, Voyager (1942)      Casablanca (1943)      Forever and a Day (1943)      Phantom of the Opera (1943)      Passage to Marseilles (1944)      Mr. Skeffington (1944)      Strange Holiday (1945)      This Love of Ours (1945)      Caesar and Cleopatra (1946)      Notorious (1946)      Angel on My Shoulder (1946)      Deception (1946)      The Unsuspected (1947)      The Passionate Friends (U.S.: One Woman’s Story) (1949)      Rope of Sand (1949)      Song of Surrender (1949)      The White Tower (1950)      Where Danger Lives (1950)      Sealed Cargo (1951)      The Man Who Watched Trains Go By (U.S.: The Paris Express) (1953)      Lisbon (1956)      This Earth Is Mine (1959)      The Lost World (1960)      Battle of the Worlds (Italy: Il Pianeta degli Uomini Spenti) (1960/63)      Lawrence of Arabia (1962)      Twilight of Honor (1963)      The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)      Theater and Concerts      Radio      Television      Recordings      Afterthoughts      End Notes      Bibliography      Index